The Western Bulldogs have put themselves in the box seat for a top 4 position when they took out a 14 point win over Geelong at Docklands on Friday night.The Bulldogs led by 3 points at quarter time, but it was in the second quarter that they got their game going. Despite some inaccuracy in front of goals, not helped by some bad luck when they hit the post three times in the quarter, the Bulldogs dominated possession around the midfield as they got out to a 19-point lead at the long break; and kicking the first two goals of the third term, the lead blew out to 30 points.But a 50m penalty set up a goal for Tom Hawkins, and suddenly the Cats sprung into action. Their dominant midfield hit their straps and turned on some of the footballing flair that has deserted them in recent weeks. Although their patch of dominance was only for a short time, a devastating 5 goal burst in 8 minutes, it was enough to give the Cats the lead at the last change.But when the game was there to be won, it was the Bulldogs who stood up and were counted. A 6 goals to 3 final quarter saw them get home by 14 points; a result that maintained the Bulldogs’ grip on 4th place while ensuring St Kilda the minor premiership, as the Cats now can not catch up to the Saints. Josh Hill kicked 3 goals for the Bulldogs, while Adam Cooney was a star with 29 possessions. Although the Cats were beaten, an amazing 40 touches from Gary Ablett and a 4-goal haul from Cameron Mooney were positives they could take out of this game.Western Bulldogs 3.5 7.12 10.12 16.14 (110)Geelong 3.2 5.5 11.9 14.12 (96)Goals : Western Bulldogs – J Hill 3, M Boyd 2, A Cooney 2, B Johnson 2, J Akermanis, L Gilbee, M Hahn, S Higgins, R Murphy, C Ward, S Welsh. Geelong – C Mooney 4, T Hawkins 3, S Byrnes 2, R Gamble, S Mumford, J Selwood, M Stokes, H Taylor.Best : Bulldogs – B Johnson, M Boyd, J Hill, J Akermanis, A Cooney, J Harbrow. Geelong – J Selwood, G Ablett, J Corey, J Bartel, C Ling, D Milburn.Injuries : Bulldogs – Nil. Geelong – P Chapman (hamstring).Reports – Nil. Umpires – M Vozzo, H Ryan, S Jeffrey.Crowd - 46,818 at Docklands.

Carlton’s strong buildup to the finals continued with the Blues winning their fourth game on the trot, the Blues being 57 points too good for Melbourne at Docklands on Saturday afternoon.Melbourne started well, kicking the first three goals of the match to give the long-suffering Demons fans some hope of a better day. But the Blues lifted as the term continued, hitting the front during time on and taking a 13-point lead into quarter time. The first three quarters would yield similar results on the scoreboard, with the Blues outscoring the Demons by 6 goals to 4. There was no runaway quarter, instead it was slow and steady that won the race for the Blues as they gradually turned their dominance into scoreboard pressure as the game progressed.Brendan Fevola was again a key focal point up forward with a bag of 7 goals. Around the ground, Marc Murphy with 37 possessions and Andrew Carrazzo with 35 were dominant forces for the Blues. For the Demons, Colin Sylvia tried hard with 34 possessions while Mark Jamar and Russell Robertson each kicked 5 goals; but it was another hard day in a season the Demons would love to forget.Carlton 6.3 12.5 18.9 24.9 (153)Melbourne 4.2 8.3 12.4 15.6 (96)Goals : Carlton – B Fevola 7, J Garlett 4, K Simpson 3, R Houlihan 2, H Scotland 2, E Betts, A Carrazzo, B Gibbs, L Kreuzer, M Murphy, S O’hAilpin. Melbourne – M Jamar 5, R Robertson 5, N Jetta 2, P Johnson, L Jurrah, B Moloney.Best : Carlton – A Carrazzo, M Murphy, B Gibbs, J Garlett, K Simpson, H Scotland. Melbourne – C Sylvia, J McDonald, A Davey, R Robertson, N Jetta, M Bate.Injuries : Carlton – P Armfield (ankle) replaced in selected side by J Anderson, R Hadley (broken arm). Melbourne – N Jones (illness) replaced in selected side by P Jamar, R Petterd (adductor), M Whelan (hamstring)Reports – Nil. Umpires - L Farmer, M James, T Pannell.Crowd - 37,433 at Docklands.

Adelaide boosted their chances of getting a home final when the Crows demolished West Coast by 74 points at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.The Crows led by 2 points at quarter time, but found their form in the second quarter. A run of 5 unanswered goals blew the lead out to 33 points and from there the Eagles were never a chance to get back into the contest. A 4 goals to 1 third quarter, followed by a 6 goals to 2 final term saw the margin blow out; and with percentage a close-run thing between Adelaide and 5th-placed Carlton, the Crows’ big winning margin may be the edge they need – an edge so cruelly denied them last year when they were pipped at the post for the double-chance and bowed out in the first sudden death final.Statistically it was a dominant performance by the Crows. With an impressive 483 disposals, 159 more than the Eagles, the match had all the makings of a one-sided contest. Six Adelaide players racked up 30 or more possessions, the highest return being 37 by Simon Goodwin and Michael Doughty. Jason Porplyzia was also a strongly influential player with his bag of 6 goals.Adelaide 2.4 8.8 12.12 18.14 (122)West Coast 2.2 4.2 5.5 7.6 (48)Goals : Adelaide – J Porplyzia 6, T Hentschel 2, I Maric 2, S Thompson 2, C Knights 2, R Douglas 2, K Tippett, B Rutten. West Coast – M LeCras 2, J Kennedy 2, T Swift, Q Lynch, A Embley.Best : Adelaide – S Thompson, M Doughty, S Goodwin, B Vince, C Knights, T Edwards. West Coast – T Swift, Q Lynch, B Ebert, A Selwood, J Kennedy, M Rosa.Injuries : Adelaide – R Shirley (hamstring), S Thompson (hip). West Coast – R Davis (concussion).Reports – Nil. Umpires – S Stewart, J Schmitt, S Meredith.Crowd - 39,640 at AAMI Stadium.

Port Adelaide, desperate to break their losing streak, raced away to a big lead against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night. But disappointment was to strike the Power as the Lions came from behind to record a 15 point win; a result that has all but ended Port’s finals hopes.The Power, needing a win to salvage their finals hopes after disappointing recent form, came out breathing fire as they kicked 10 goals in the opening term, at one stage leading by 47 points before settling for a 40-point lead at the first change. It was exciting football to watch, as the Power were in awesome form. Warren Tredrea kicked 3 for the quarter, while Alipate Carlile let fly with a 60 metre torp goal.But after the quarter time break, the Port momentum was gone and they struggled to get any of the football after that. The Lions were shellshocked in the first quarter, but after the break began their task of working their way back into the contest. It was 4 goals to none in the second term, the margin cut to 17 points at half time.The Power weren’t finished yet, and with 3 unanswered goals to start the third term to go to a 34 point lead, it looked as though the visitors would cruise to victory. But a late surge by the Lions saw them, against the odds, win the quarter and by the last change the margin was back to 9 points. Again the Power were unable to score a major when kicking to the southern end in the last quarter, as the Lions sent the crowd into raptures by hitting the front, their 4 goals to none quarter getting them home by 15 points.Brisbane Lions 3.2 7.5 12.8 16.11 (107)Port Adelaide 10.0 10.4 14.5 14.8 (92)Goals : Brisbane – D Bradshaw 5, J Brown 4, M Rischitelli 3, J Redden, J Sherman, A McGrath, D Rich. Port Adelaide – W Tredrea 4, N Salter 3, D Motlop 2, D Brogan, S Burgoyne, A Carlile, B Lade, M Thomas.Best : Brisbane – L Power, M Clark, A McGrath, J Redden, J Sherman, D Bradshaw. Port Adelaide – T Brogan, T Boak, N Krakouer, D Pearce, D Cassisi, B Lade.Injuries: Brisbane – D Merrett (hamstring). Port Adelaide – R Gray (appendix) replaced in selected side by T Logan.Reports – Nil. Umpires – H Ryan, R Chamberlain, S Wenn.Crowd - 26,437 at Gabba.

Hawthorn remain with a chance of making the finals after the defending champions ended a 4-match losing streak with a 42 point win over Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.The Hawks were wasteful in front of goals earlier, but did enough to keep their noses in front. The Hawks led by 4 points at quarter time and a surge during the second term saw them race to a 27 point lead before two late goals to the Tigers reduced the margin to 14 points at the long break.The Tigers got back into the contest in the early stages of the third term, two goals by Jack Riewoldt cutting the margin to 3 points. But they would be the only goals the Tigers would score for the quarter. A heavy bump by Lance Franklin took out Ben Cousins, and with the Brownlow medallist off the field, the Tigers’ midfield struggled to contain the Hawthorn juggernaut. The Hawks scored the last 5 goals for the quarter to lead by 32 points at the last change.The last quarter was a high-scoring shootout, but the Tigers leaked too many goals to look any chance of getting back into the contest. Instead it was the Hawks who won the quarter with a 7 goals to 2 burst to run out 42 point winners. Lance Franklin kicked 5 for the Hawks and Beau Dowler 4, while Sam Mitchell with 35 touches and Luke Hodge with 30 were prominent ball magnets.Richmond welcomed back Graham Polak, playing his first game since being hit by a tram midway through 2008, but like too many of his team-mates he struggled to have any influence on the game. Brett Deledio was magnificent in defeat with 36 possessions.The Hawks can make it to the finals if they defeat Essendon at the MCG next week; while for the Tigers only one more round remains before their dismal season is over.Hawthorn 2.6 8.11 13.14 20.15 (135)Richmond 2.2 7.3 9.6 14.9 (93)Goals : Hawthorn – L Franklin 5, B Dowler 4, M Osborne 3, J Kennedy 2, B McGlynn 2, C Rioli 2, L Hodge, J Lewis. Richmond – M Morton 3, J Riewoldt 3, B Deledio 2, S Tuck 2, N Brown, B Cousins, D Jackson, R Tambling.Best : Hawthorn – L Franklin, L Hodge, S Mitchell, B Sewell, B McGlynn, C Bateman. Richmond – B Deledio, D Jackson, T Simmonds, R Tambling, S Tuck, M Morton.Injuries : Hawthorn – Nil. Richmond – W Thursfield (shoulder), B Cousins (concussion), C Newman (knee), D Jackson (ankle), S Edwards (eye).Reports – Nil. Umpires – H Kennedy, M Nicholls, C Hendrie.Crowd - 34,779 at MCG.

St Kilda, after their 19-game winning streak came to an end last week, lost their second game on the trot when the Saints suffered a shock 5 point loss to North Melbourne at Docklands in the early Sunday game.The Kangaroos were already well and truly out of the running for a finals position, but were determined to make a good impression in the finals rounds to finish the season on a high. Racing out of the blocks with the first five goals of the game, their flying start caught the ladder leaders off guard and the Saints would be playing catch up football for the rest of the day.The Saints finally opened their account with three goals in time-on to reduce the quarter time deficit to 14 points, but goals would be hard to come by against a determined North defence. Against all expectations the Kangaroos won the second quarter to lead by 16 points at half time.Into the premiership quarter, and the Saints fought back. But inaccurate finishing in front of goals would cost them dearly, with the Saints kicking 2.5 and 3 more out on the full for the quarter. It was poor finishing by the Saints, but partially caused by the tightness and tenacity of the Kangaroos’ defence. But for all the Kangaroos’ desperation, the margin was cut to 6 points at the last change.The Saints continued to surge in the last quarter. Andrew McQualter’s goal put them in front for the first time, and a solid mark and goal by Justin Koschitzke extended the lead. But although the Saints were looking good, the Kangaroos refused to give up and came back again. A double to Drew Petrie restored the Kangaroos’ lead; and with some heavy manning up and clever possession football they were able to hold on for a remarkable victory.North Melbourne 5.2 7.2 8.3 10.4 (64)St Kilda 3.0 4.4 6.9 8.11 (59)Goals : North Melbourne – D Petrie 4, A Edwards 2, L Adams, M Campbell, T Goldstein, A Swallow. St Kilda – J Koschitzke 3, N Riewoldt 3, A McQualter, F Ray.Best : North Melbourne – A Swallow, L Anthony, B Rawlings, D Petrie, S Thompson, L Adams. St Kilda – N Riewoldt, B Goddard, S Fisher, J Gram, L Montagna, J Armitage.Injuries : North Melbourne – Nil. St Kilda – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires – M Stevic, S Grun, T Keating.Crowd - 30,522 at Docklands.

Collingwood wrapped up a spot in the top 4 and continued their imposing record against Sydney when the Magpies took out a 41 point victory at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.It was a tight, defensive affair early, with the Magpies kicking the only two goals of the first quarter. But it took the Jarrod Moore less than a minute after the quarter time break to get on the board and get the Swans back into the contest. It was goal for goal during the second term, until a run of two in a row ticking into time on got the Swans back to within a kick. But a mark and goal to Brad Dick took the Magpies out to a 9 point lead at half time.But the third quarter saw the Magpies establish a match-winning break. The Swans got an early goal, but a run of 4 goals in a row put Collingwood into a commanding position; and from there the result of the match was never in doubt.John Anthony kicked 4 goals for the Magpies, a solid haul in a low-scoring match. Dayne Beams with 24 possessions and Dane Swan with 22 were the Magpies’ top ball winners, but it was a good all-round team effort by the Magpies. Collingwood find themselves comfortably in third place, their double chance in the finals now assured. For the Swans, next week sees the end of their season, the first time they have missed the finals since 2002.Collingwood 2.3 5.9 10.13 13.19 (97)Sydney Swans 0.4 4.6 6.7 8.8 (56)Goals : Collingwood – J Anthony 4, A Fraser 2, P Medhurst, T Cloke, D Beams, B Dick, C Wood, D Swan, T Lockyer. Sydney – A Goodes 3, J Moore, N Smith, P Bevan, J White, E Barlow.Best : Collingwood – J Anthony, L Davis, D Beams, D Swan, P Medhurst, J Fraser. Sydney – A Goodes, L Roberts-Thompson, D Jolly, H Grundy, R Shaw, P Bevan.Injuries : Collingwood – Nil. Sydney - J Moore (punctured lung).Reports – Nil. Umpires – S McBurney, B Rosebury, S McLaren.Crowd - 54,400 at MCG.

Essendon had an opportunity to seal their first finals appearance since 2004 when they took on the struggling Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. But the Bombers put in a surprisingly flat performance to go down by 54 points.The Bombers have been inconsistent all season, and after a thrilling win over the previously undefeated St Kilda, backed it up with possibly their worst performance of the year. Dropped marks, poor kicking, failing to man up on their opponents were just some of the features of the Essendon performance on a day when they needed to produce a more professional performance to ensure their participation at the business end of the season.There was only a kick in it at quarter time, but a 5 goals to 2 second quarter blew the Fremantle lead out to 27 points at the long break. It was more of the same in the third term, with the margin 41 points at the last change. But the Bombers came out firing in the last quarter, with two goals in the first 5 minutes and the ball camped on the Bombers’ forward line for the first 10 minutes of the quarter. But hopes of a Bomber comeback were dashed when the ball travelled down to the other end of the field, where Matthew Pavlich stood tall to mark and goal. The goal ended the Bomber momentum, with Hayden Ballantyne kicking 3 goals in the final term to turn the match into a blowout.It’s been a season to forget for Fremantle, but this win gives them something to build on for next season. It also sees them climb ahead of Richmond into 14th spot on the ladder. But it was an opportunity missed for the Bombers, who will need to beat Hawthorn next week in a match that promises to bring back the Bombers v Hawks rivalry of the 1980s.Fremantle 4.2 9.6 15.11 21.15 (141)Essendon 3.2 5.3 9.8 13.9 (87)Goals : Fremantle – H Ballantyne 4, L McPharlin 3, C Pearce 3, M Pavlich 2, N Suban 2, K Bradley, P Duffield, L Hasleby, D Headland, G Ibbotson, D Mundy, A Sandilands. Essendon –M Hurley 3, N Lovett-Murray 2, A Davey, C Hooker, A McPhee, A Monfries, J Neagle, B Stanton, J Watson, J Winderlich.Best : Fremantle – A Sandilands, K Bradley, P Duffield, N Suban, L McPharlin, M Pavlich. Essendon – B Stanton, B Prismall, C Hooker, A Welsh, R Dyson, N Lovett-Murray.Injuries : Fremantle – Nil. Essendon – T Lonergan replaced in selected side by L Jetta, A Davey (shoulder), M Hurley (thumb).Reports – Nil. Umpires – D Sully, M Avon, S McInerney.Crowd - 32,413 at Subiaco Oval.